Mikel Arteta has described how 'impactors' have taken over the traditional role of substitutes in Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League championship

Mikel Arteta has described how ‘impactors’ have taken over the traditional role of substitutes in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League championship

Mikel Arteta has clarified that in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title, the term “impactors” is being used to describe players who can come off the bench and have a significant impact on the game, rather than traditional substitutes who may only be used to replace injured or tired players.

According to recent statements from Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is no longer relying on traditional substitutes during games. Instead, Arteta is searching for “impactors” from the bench, players who can enter the game and have a meaningful impact on the outcome, rather than just replacing tired or injured players. This approach is part of Arsenal’s strategy to push for the Premier League title.

The Spanish coach has recently added a new term to the language used within the top team’s group, aiming to bring an end to the club’s 19-year longing for a Premier League championship. What prompted him to take this action?

“It’s something that we wanted to change,” the Arsenal manager explained ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Sporting CP. “I discussed it with a few people. People around other sports and football and then we discussed it with the team.

“We wanted to find something that is particular to us. I think it was the best way to express how we feel about them [the substitutes] and how they have to feel towards the team, especially on matchday. I think the way we now describe it is more like we want. If you repeat it more and more and more and you discuss it more and more and more, it will be closer to that than just being a sub.”

Arsenal’s latest linguistic addition is just one of the ways Arteta is trying to create a sense of inclusivity and cohesion among those in and around the team. However, it’s uncertain whether he truly believes that such gestures – such as bringing a replica of Arsenal’s iconic clock into the changing room before the match against Fulham – can have a significant impact within a high-performance sports environment.

“I cannot measure that,” he said. “I have to get into their brains [to find out] and so far we don’t have anything like it. It’s very difficult. It is [about] replacing somebody and making the team better, or doing things differently that are related to winning football matches. At the end your mentality should be only that, to impact the game to win it. That’s it, nothing else.”

On Thursday evening, Mikel Arteta’s team will welcome Sporting to their home stadium for the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 matchup.